Bachelor of Science in Nursing

ABOUT NURSING  

Nursing is both an art and a science encompassing specialized knowledge derived from observation, study and research as well as skills that require expertness and professional caring. The focus of nursing is to assist people to promote, protect or restore their health or to support them through incurable illness.

Registered Nurses (RNs) comprise the largest number of health care providers. They have been either diploma or baccalaureate educated. Baccalaureate education is the requirement for entry to the practice of nursing. Individuals completing educational programs must write national licensing exams to become  Registered Nurses and to practice as nurses.

Nurses are responsible for ensuring that patients/clients are given safe and competent care and that their fundamental rights are safeguarded in the provision of that care. There are many essential elements to being effective in this role. Nurses require critical thinking skills to assess, monitor and evaluate patients to detect and treat illnesses. They need to be able to multitask and set priorities in order to deal with rapidly changing patient situations. Nurses must be able to perform psychomotor skills to carry out the therapeutic regimens for clients. They must be able to develop a therapeutic relationship with individuals, families, and groups in order to provide support and comfort. Communicating effectively is essential to teach patients and families the skills and knowledge necessary to manage their own care. Nurses must demonstrate an ability to be assertive in order to advocate for others. They coordinate and collaborate with other health care workers to establish a plan of care. Important aspects of this role include flexibility, working well with others and being able to write clearly. Nurses are involved in research as part of practice. They may be involved in community development to facilitate a community group identifying its health concerns and needs.

Nurses provide leadership in a variety of settings. Most nurses work in hospitals, either large general tertiary care hospitals such as Vancouver General Hospital; special hospitals such as BC Women’s Hospital; or smaller community hospitals such as Chilliwack General Hospital.There are a number of areas within a hospital where a nurse could find work. Nurses who provide direct care could work in a surgical, medical, pediatric, psychiatric, maternity area or a specialty area such as the operating room, critical care or emergency.

Nurses in hospitals not providing direct care might be employed to manage a nursing unit, provide infection control or staff education, or act as a resource to patients and staff members (clinical specialist, clinical educator).

Nurses can also work in the community. This might include a public health unit, home health care, a clinic setting or a business. The roles vary widely across community settings but often have a strong teaching and assessment component.

Many nurses work in long term care facilities: extended care, intermediate care or multilevel care. In theses areas nurses often act in a leadership capacity, providing a small amount of direct care, but overseeing the overall care of a large number of individuals.